Shipping case



May 7, 1935.

H. E. RUE ET AL SHIPPING CASE Filed May 19, 1932 lNv TTORNEY5 Patented May 7, 1935 UNITED STATESg 'zgoomrsa y .SHIPPING CASE Harold E. Rue'and Elof Nordstrom, East Orange, .Y N. J., assignors to HoimanBeverage'Company,

Newark, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey' I Application May 19, isaavs'erial No. `612,212 9 Claims. (o1. ,21T-'19p` ,'Irhisinvention. relates to shipping cases and has particular reference to a vcase for shipping bottled beverages or they like.

Shipping cases are handled roughly and when made of Wood, as is usually thel case, are frequentlybroken or split, so that they must be `repaired and eventually are damaged beyond repair, so. that they must be replaced. Also, bottle. cases as usually constructed are shallower than the bot. tles so that the necks of the bottles project above the top edges of the cases and if the cases are stacked they necessarily rest upon the tops of the bottles in the next lower case. Inasmuch as the bottles are looselyheld in the usual wooden cases, it is apparent that but few cases. can be stacked safely, since the resulting stack is insecure andvlikely to tip over if jarred. This loose packing of the bottles in the cases also results in rattling of the bottles and not infrequently in breakage when the cases are roughlyhandled or jarred while being transportedintrucks or the like. In addition to these objections, the usual wooden cases are .unsanitary, occupy more space than their contents warrant, and are not readily handled because only two small hand-holes are provided in the small ends of thecase, which are not always accessible. It is accordingly highly desirable to provide a bottle shipping case which is suiciently rugged to withstand the severe usage to which it is put, more compact and more'easily handled than the usual wooden case, :and one which holds the bottles securely againstrattling and breakage and in such a way that the cases ,may be safely stacked one above the other to facilitate transportation.

In accordance with the present invention, a shipping case is provided in which all of the aforementioned desirable advantages obtain and which is constructed of metal and wood in a simple and inexpensive manner. More particularly, the case comprises a fabricated metal frame to which the wooden base is assembled in a novel manner and which is adapted to containra removable liner and and a bottle separator of cardboard or other similar material. lWith this construction-the bottles are closely kpacked in substantial engagement, except for the thickness of the cardboard walls of the separator extending between the bottles, whereby the entire groupv of bottles in the case are confined to a small space, form a substantially rigid mass, and are protected .against breakage because they cannot rattle orv strike against each other or against the case. Inasmuchas the bottles arerigidly and securely held 5.' inthe cases, the cases ymay be safely stacked one above the other and the undersideof each case is provided with-recesses uforreoeiving the topsof the bottles in the case beneath, so -that stacking is facilitated and thej rigidity ofthe stack is increased. Accordingly,.both`the small size ofthe case and thestacking` advantages permit more than the usual-number of; cases tobe packedand transported in a truck having limited space. The carboard liner. is removable and preferably bears advertising material and does not' interfere with the handling of theycase-butaon thercontrary, it terminates below the upper rail of the metal frame so that the case maybe readily grasped at any pointV around.4 its periphery, this upper rail also being Yspaced fromthe adjacent bottles to facilitate handling vof the case.' c 1 Thev casemay be readily sterilized after removal of the liner and separator, and when a new liner and separator. are inserted, it has a freshand y clean'appearance which permitsvthe entire case and contents to be` usable forrdisplay purposes.

' Other advantages: ofthe invention will become apparent upon reference to they 'accompanying drawing, in which:v n

Figure 1 is aperspective view of the new shipping case ofthis invention without liner and separatory.

Figure 2. is a transverse section thereofas seenv along the line 2 2 of Fig. 3; f

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section thereof as seen n along the line 3-4-3 of Fig.` 2; I

Figure 4 illustrates the bottle separator in perspective;

Figure 5 illustrates the liner in perspective; Figures 6 'and'l villustrate two steps employedfin assembling the `new case; and

Figure 8 is a partial view of the bottom of the case showing the manner in which the bottom membersare secured together.

In this drawing, numeral I0 designates theA fabricated metal frame Vof the new shipping case, which is preferably 4formed ofv relatively heavy gauge Wire and is welded together. The frame I0 includes an upper rail II, comprising a piece of Wirebent into generally'rectangular shape with its ends securedtogether by'welding or the like. This upper rail I I is supported by four U-shaped wire elements, the end elements being designated -I2 and the side elements being designated I3.

The upper rail I I is'preferably spot-welded to the horizontal wire rails 14-and 15,5which are of the n same size and shape as the upper rail I I. The legs of the side and end elements I2 and I3 are secured to each of the horizontal rails I 4 and I5 by spot Welding. While wire is preferred for fabricating the frame I0, strap or strip metal or the like may be employed with equal facility. The frame I U is preferably galvanized or otherwise coated `to prevent rusting.

As indicated in Pigs.` 1, 2, 6 and 7, the' lower ends of the side elements I3 of the frame I0 are turned inwardly to form the horizontal extensions I6, while the lower ends of the end elements I2 terminate a short distance above the common plane of the extensions I6 of thel side elements I3, the purpose of which will bevdescribed later.

The base of the new case preferably comprises-` three wooden members or boards I1, I8 and I9, of appreciable thickness and'sl'ightly'l'essin'combined width than the width of the fabricated frame I0, so that when the base members or boards I1, I8' and IIB', areassembled, spaces appear between the adjacent members. The' outer corners of the `outaerlias'e members t1 and If! are rounded as indicated in Fig. l'and their outer edges are provided with spaced' lateral soclret's'r'Zll adapted to' accommodate' the extensions I6 ofthe side elements I3 of the fabricated frame I I; sockets 20' communicate vwith vertical grooves AZTI in the outer edges of the members I1 and I'9, in which the vertical portions o! the' side elements I3 adjacent their extensionsv I `are adapted: to lodge.

The ends of the base members I1, I`8"an'd I9?, are secured together inproperly spaced' relation by metal cleatsl 22 having the tongues 2'3v and at their ends and 'the' central tongue '25. These tongues 2.3, '24 and 2B, serve tol hold. the c1eat^22 and the base members I1, 'Il and I9 in position while the nails 26 are being driven 'intotheA ends of the base' members'll, I8 t9'. Then'ail holes in the cleatsv `22 are fcolmtersunlc 'so Vthat the 'heads of theV nails 20"li'e'l1u'sh with'th'e outer'sur- 'races' of the cleats 221.

Removably inserted withinr the' 'fabricated frame `I'lland resting'on the base If14I8-Ir9'is a -lin'er'21, shown inl perspective inFigS". This liner preferably comprises a strip of cardboard, the ends of which are 'provided withV interlocking tongues 28 so that it .may vbe secured'in shape when' folded'. The dimensions of thelinerarefsuch that it ts closely within thewrails M and ISand is high enough to extend slightly above'the Ycentre rail III. It accordingly does not interfere-with the upper rail II which isY free to be grasped. at any point on its' periphery. YThis -liner 'preferably bears advertising orY identifying material 'which is visible 'through the open side-"of the 'fabricated frame" III 'when' the liner is position within the latter, as indicated inr'Fig. 3. Whileacardboard liner 21 ris preferredjit may be 'mad'e of sheet metal', fibre, plywood or 'otherA suitable material. Removably'inserted within the liner'21 and resting 'upon the vbase I1--I'8'-I 9; is the separator '29 'which comprises va plurali-ty of interlocking strips' of `cardboard which' are` spaced apart the appropriate distance"to-'accommodate the bottles or other merchandise adapted to be 'inserted in 'th'e cells 'formed within the'separator `29.. The cells 4are of such size vthat Vadia'cent'bottles engageeachy other except' forth'e separatingr wall of the separator, so' that the'bottles brace each other.`

In assembling'the 'new s'hipipingcase` of this invention, the frame I- is'fabri'cated in. the manner described. vThe two outer 'base .members or boards I'1 and AI9 are placed closely together in parallel relation on a table or other flat surface, as indicated in Fig. 6, and the frame Ill is placed on them in such a way that the lower ends of the end members I 2 rest upon the upper surfaces of the corresponding base members I1 and I9. The spacing between the lower ends of the end members I2 and the extensions I5 of the side members I3 is such that the extensions I6 and the corresponding sockets .2t in the base members I1 and I 9 lie in the same plane when the frame ID is placed on the base members I1 and I9 in the manner shown. It is therefore only necessary for the assembler to push the base members I1 and I9 outwardly, so that the'extensions v`IIS. are inserted inthe corresponding sockets 29,. and the-lower ends of the side members I3 lie iush within the slots 2 I. This step is illustrated in Fig. 7. l

Then the center base member I8 is placed and properly centered in the space: betweenl base members Il and I9 and the three base members arey temporarily held in thisposition by cleats 21, which are placed across the ends of the `three members and then struck with a hammeror the like to drive' the tongues 23', 24, and 25 thereof in't'ol the Wood of these members. The cleats 22 accordingly nx the base members in proper position while the nails 26 are driven through the' nai-l holes in the cleats to iinish the assembling of .the new' shipping case.

The engagement of the lower ends of end members Il2 with the upper surfaces of base members Il! and I9 also aids the lateral extensions '|16 of the side members I3 in holding the base members I1 and' I9 flatwise in the same plane, 'asis illustrated in Figures 1, 2` an'd 7. 'This arrangement prevents buckling of the base ln the event vthat vthe end cleats '22 should become looscned because of heavy service. y

The liner 21 is` then folded into shape and placedr within the case I' and the separator 23 is inserted within the liner 21. As aforementioned, the cells in the separator 29 are of such dimension that they closely accommodate the product which it is intended to pack in the case.

For example, if the case is to contain beverage bottles as indicated in Fig. 2, the bottles are mutually tangent except for the thickness of the intervening web of cardboard of the separator 29. The interior of the case between the horizontal rails I4 and I5 of the frame is alsoV of such dimension as to closely accommodate the rows of bottles vWithout looseness. The twelve bottles which the particular case illustrated and described is adapted to contain, are accordingly held rigidly within the casing and form a substantially rigid mass which cannot rattle and is not loose in the sense that bottles are usually loose in the ordinary wooden cases.

Aligned with the centers of the bottles which are packed within the casing, and located on the underside of the base member I1, I8 and I9, are recesses 30, each of such dimension as to accommodate the cap of a bottle placed therein from the underside. These recesses 30 are so arranged as to receive the caps of the bottles in the case below when the cases are stacked one above the other. Because the bottles are packed tightly and are aligned by recesses r3l), a stack of cases containing bottles forms a rigid column and cannot be readily displaced or tipped over. Because of this arrangement many more cases of bottles may be carried safely in delivery trucks andv the like without liability of breakage. The recesses 30 also closely conne the caps of the Cil bottles of the case below so that there is practically no movement between the caps and the base resting thereon. Consequently, there can be no abrasion or marring of the caps.

It will be seen that the upper railA II of the frame I Il is spaced a substantial distance from the adjacent bottles because of the inward curve of the necks of the bottles, so that rail Il forms a convenient handle whereby the case may be lifted and handled. The horizontal portions of end and side members I2 and I3 are located in the plane of the upper rail I I so that a wide handle, which is more comfortable to handle and which will not cut the hands, is formed. Because the bottles are packed very closely together and, because the cardboard of the separators 29 is relatively thin and, because the wire forming the frame I0 is relatively thin, the case is compactv and occupies much less space than the usual wooden shipping case. Also, the case may be altered in appearance for display purposes simply by replacing used liners with new liners of different color and appearance; it may be sterilized by immersing the entire casein a sterilizing bath after removing the liner and separator; it may be painted or impregnated with preservation mate-` rial to resist moisture and the action of sterilizing solutions in which the case is immersed and' otherwise treated or decorated to suit requirements. f

We claim:

1. In a bottle shipping case, the combination of a fabricated wire having an upper horizontal hand rail extending laterally from the adjacent bottles, a base for the frame, a removable liner within the frame resting on the base and spaced from the hand rail, and a removable bottle separator within the liner.

2. In a shipping case, the combination of a substantially rectangular strip metal frame including verticals, the lower ends of the verticals of two opposite sides of the frame being turned substantially horizontally inwardly, the lower ends of the verticals of the remaining opposite sides of the frame lying above the plane of the said horizontally inwardly turned lower ends of the said two opposite sides of the frame, and a base supported by the said horizontally inwardly turned lower ends of the said two opposite sides of the frame and engaged on its upper surface by the said lower ends of the verticals of the said remaining opposite sides of the frame.

3. In a shipping case, the combination of a substantially rectangular strip metal frame including verticals, the lower ends of the verticals of two opposite sides of the frame being rturned substantially horizontally inwardly, the lower ends of the verticals of the remaining opposite sides of the frame lying above the plane of the said horizontally inwardly turned lower ends of the said two opposite sides of the frame, and a` gaged on its upper surface by the said lower ends of the verticals of the said remaining opposite sides of the frame. l

4. In a shipping case, the combination of a substantially rectangular strip metal frame including verticals, the lower ends of the verticals of two opposite sides of the frame being turned substantially horizontally inwardly, the lower ends of the verticals of the remaining opposite sides of the frame lying above the plane of the said horizontally inwardly turned lower ends of the said two opposite sides of the frame, and a base comprising at least two members each having transverse recesses aligned with the corresponding horizontally inwardly turned lower ends of the said two opposite sides of the frame and engaged on their upper surfaces near their ends by the said lower ends of the verticals of the said remaining opposite sides of the frame.

5. In a` shipping case, the combination of aV metal frame having inward extensions on its lower end on two-opposite sides, a plurality of base members, the sides of the opposite base members having transverse recesses for the reception of the inward extensions of the frame, the ends of the frame resting on the top of the base members, andk means for securing the base members to each other.

6. In a shipping case, the combination of a fabricated steel wire frame including vertical elements, the vertical elements on two opposite sides being turned inwardly at their lower ends, a plurality of base members, the sides of the outside base members having transverse recesses for receiving the inwardly turned ends of said vertical elements of the sides of the frame, means on the ends of the frame for engaging the top of the base members, and means for securing the base members to each other.

'7. In a shipping case, the combination of a rectangular metal frame comprising horizontal and vertical strips, the vertical strips on two opposite sides of the frame having inwardly turned ends, a base comprising a plurality of members, the sides of the outside base members having transverse recessesto receive the corresponding inturned ends of said vertical strips, the vertical strips of the end sections of the frame resting on the top of the base members, and means for 'sef curing the base members to each other.

8. In a shipping case, the combination of va substantially rectangular frame, a base comprising a plurality of sections, means on two opposite sides of said frame for securing said frame to said base, the ends of the frame being unsecured to said base and resting on the upper surface thereof, and means for securing thesectionsvof the base to each other.

9. In a shipping case, the combination of a frame open at the top and bottom and comprising inverted U-shaped wire side and end members and ring shaped wire rails secured in spaced horizontal relation to each of the side members, a base comprising a plurality of sections closing the open bottom of said frame, the U-shaped side members of said frame being secured to the outside sections of said base, the U-shaped end members of said frame being unsecured to said base and means for securing the sections of said base to each other.

HAROLD E. RUE. ELOF NORDSTROM. 

